A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
